The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)1

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment:

Post Deployment

FACILITATOR’S NAME: Leslie RobinsonDate: July, 2014

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)2

Objectives

• Discuss the stages of the emotional cycle of deployment.

• Identify common characteristics of the post deployment stages and corresponding coping strategies.

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)3

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

Reintegration and Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

Pre Deployment

Deployment

Post Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)4

Anticipation of DepartureDetachment and Withdrawal

Reintegration and Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

Pre Deployment

• Denial

• Anticipation of the loss

• Feeling conflict

• Frequent disagreements

• Anger and resentment

• Depression

• Emotional distance

• Sadness and despair

• Hopelessness

• Increasing conflict

• Lack of energy

• Indecisive

• “What ifs”

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)5

Reintegration and Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment

• Restless

• Confused and indecisive

• Indecisive

• Irritable

• Sleep Difficulty

• Anxiety, lonely, frustrated

• Routines set

• Mixed feelings of success and failure

• Mildly depressed or anxious

• Vulnerable yet in control

• Independent and confident

• Excitement

• Anticipation

• Apprehension

• Nervousness

• Restlessness

• Indecision

• Irritability

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)66

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)77

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)8

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

Reintegration and Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganization

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

Post Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)9

Return Adjustment and Renegotiation Exercise

• Work as a family unit.

• Concentrate on the Return Adjustment and Renegotiation section.

1. What are some coping strategies to overcome the feelings in the first two columns on Handout 1?

2. How might spouses have changed during the deployment? 3. How might Service Members have changed during the

deployment? 4. What are some things the family member is doing now that

the Service Member did before the deployment? 5. Have you started reestablishing daily routines and household

responsibilities? 

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)1010

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)11

Reintegration and Stabilization

Reintegration and

Stabilization

Anticipation of Departure

Detachment and

Withdrawal

Emotional Disorganizati

on

Recovery and Stabilization

Anticipation of Return

Return Adjustment

and Renegotiation

Post Deployment

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)12

Return and Stabilization Exercise

• Work as a table.• Concentrate on Return and Stabilization section.

1. What are some coping strategies to overcome the actions and feelings in the first two columns on Handout 1?

2. What will “new” normal look like?

3. What “things” did you have to renegotiate in the family?

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)1313

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)14

Deployment Resources

• General /Specific: www.militaryonesource.com

• Deployment Information: http://www.afterdeployment.org/

• Financial: www.dfas.mil

• Fort Family: www.arfp.org/index.php/programs/fort-family-outreach-and-support

• Military Family Network: www.emilitary.org

• Joint Service Support: https://www.jointservicessupport.org/

• Operation Military Kids: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/family/part/youthdev_part_military.html

• Military Homefront: www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil

• http://www.yellowribbon.mil/event-support (The Emotional Cycle of Deployment)

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)15

Objectives

• Discuss the stages of the emotional cycle of deployment.

• Identify common characteristics of the post deployment stages and corresponding coping strategies.

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment: Post Deployment (FEB 2013)16

The Emotional Cycle of Deployment:

Post Deployment

FACILITATOR’S NAME: Leslie RobinsonDate: July, 2014